Thomas' Tall Friend

Thomas' Tall Friend is the first episode of the fourteenth series.

Plot

A new animal park is being built on Sodor and Thomas is called upon to deliver a giraffe to it, while Percy is delivering leaves, Edward drops off apples and Gordon takes the Mayor and the Fat Controller to open the park. Despite Cranky's orders to wait for the giraffe's keeper, Thomas wants to show the giraffe to the children and leaves, but later runs into trouble when the giraffe will not follow his orders and lie down to allow Thomas to go under a bridge. Gordon comes from behind with the Mayor and the Fat Controller on his express. Seeing the giraffe blocking his way, Gordon tells Thomas to go back to the Docks for the keeper. However, Thomas thinks the giraffe will do what he tells him and goes to a siding to allow Gordon to pass.

When Edward arrives, Thomas asks him if the giraffe could eat some of his apples so he can lay down. But even after the giraffe is done eating, he still will not lie down. Edward is not happy about this and tells Thomas to go back to the Docks for the giraffe keeper, but Thomas still thinks the giraffe will do what he says, even after Edward crossly leaves. When Percy arrives, Thomas asks him if the giraffe could have some leaves, and Percy is happy to help his best friend. After playing with the leaves and eating them until there are none remaining, the giraffe finally lies down, allowing Thomas and Percy to chuff to the animal park.

But when they arrive, the Mayor and the Fat Controller are cross after waiting a long time. The giraffe will not wake up despite Thomas whistling at him and there are no more leaves for the animals in Percy's truck. Thomas knows what must be done and goes back to the docks to collect the keeper. After taking him to the animal park, Thomas goes to get fresh leaves and apples to replace the ones the giraffe ate and returns to the Animal Park with them. He whistles with joy at seeing the giraffe wide awake. The giraffe turns his attention to Thomas, who gets his photograph taken with his new tall friend.

Characters

• Thomas
• Edward
• Gordon
• Percy
• Cranky
• Sir Topham Hatt
• The Ginger-haired Boy
• Farmer McColl (does not speak)
• The Mayor of Sodor (does not speak)
• Headkeeper Jack (does not speak)
• Henry (cameo)
• James (cameo)
• Emily (cameo)
• Stanley (cameo)
• Hiro (cameo)
• Diesel (cameo)
• The Photographer (cameo)
• Sir Topham Hatt's Assistants (cameos)
• Woodsmen (cameos)
• The Teacher (cameo)
• The Blond-haired Boy (cameo)
• The Welsh Birdwatcher (cameo)
• The Dark Uniformed Girl (cameo)
• Big Mickey (faceless, cameo)

Locations

• Sodor Animal Park
• Brendam Docks
  • Sodor Shipping Company
  • Brendam Warehouse
• Chestnut Orchard
• Farmer Trotter's Field
• McColl Farm
• Knapford (photo only)

Cast

UK

• Ben Small as Thomas
• Keith Wickham as Edward, Gordon, Percy and the Fat Controller
• Matt Wilkinson as Cranky

US

• Martin Sherman as Thomas and Percy
• William Hope as Edward
• Kerry Shale as Gordon and Sir Topham Hatt
• Glenn Wrage as Cranky

Trivia

• This episode is the only episode of the fourteenth series where the number in production order is the same as the number in airdate order. This is due to the fact that the second episode of the fourteenth series production-wise was supposedly held back to air during the Christmas season.
• The photo album at the end of the episode contains photos from the episodes, Thomas and the Runaway Kite and Creaky Cranky and one from the special, Hero of the Rails.
• This episode marks the first of a few things:
  • The first appearance of the Sodor Animal Park in the television series; even though it had previously appeared in several magazine stories.
  • The first episode narrated by Michiel de Jong in the Netherlands.
  • Stanley's first appearance in an episode of the CGI series and his first appearance in an episode since the twelfth series episode, Thomas Puts the Brakes On.
• This episode was aired the same day Misty Island Rescue was released on DVD in the UK.

Goofs

• During most of the scene at Brendam Docks, Gordon's coach is not rendered properly, as it goes through Gordon's tender.
• Contrary to what the narrator says, Edward still has apples left in his truck.
• In the Slovenian dub, Percy's line when he asks if the giraffe can sit down is left muted.

Merchandise

• Wooden Railway - Thomas' Tall Friends 3-pack (discontinued)
• Books - The Tall Friend, Thomas' Tall Friend, Holiday Gift Set and Thomas' Tall Friend (China only)
• Magazine Stories - Thomas' Tall Friend/Thomas' Tall Friend
• Take-n-Play (discontinued)

In Other Languages

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